Which is the Best Snowboard Instructor Course?

How to choose the best snowboard instructor course for you

You’ve chosen to teach the sport you love and done your research thoroughly, but essentially it will boil down to one question: Which is the best snowboard instructor course for me?

The most popular snowboard instructor awarding bodies are recognised worldwide and will provide members with advice and support throughout their career, but not all courses are the same and the one you choose could affect the direction of your career. Here is a handy guide for BASI, CASI and SBINZ snowboard instructor courses.

Choosing BASI

British Association of Snowsport Instructors

The Career Path

You can achieve the BASI Snowboard level 1 qualification in many of the snow domes and dry slopes within the UK. BASI level 1 allows you to teach on artificial slopes.

BASI Snowboard level 2 has to be taken in the mountains and many course providers combine BASI level 1 & 2 into a 10 week programme. Upon completion of Level 2 you are able to teach beginner to intermediate snowboarders across Europe, Canada, America, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, South America and even Dubai.

BASI Snowboard level 3 allows you to teach up to and beyond advanced snowboarding across the world. There is more information on the BASI website.

BASI Snowboard level 4 gives you the highest level of employability, and you can teach up to the highest levels of snowboarding, it can take 3 – 5 years to reach this level. You need to be BASI level 4 to teach in France.

BASI qualifications are recognised across Europe including France. If you are from the UK, working within the EU can be considered ‘easier’ than other countries such as Canada, America, New Zealand and Australia because at the moment you don’t require a working visa.

Most snowboard instructor qualifications will take you across the world, but there has never been a better time for snowboard instructor employment within the UK – Britain currently has 6 indoor snow domes with plans for more being submitted every year! Each snow dome has a team of instructors, and your BASI qualification is recognised from level 1.

Choosing CASI

Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors

The Career Path

Upon passing the CASI level 1 snowboard instructor course you can teach entry level to intermediate skiers. Unlike other courses you are able to teach on the mountain as soon as you have passed your CASI level 1. Many snowboard instructor internships include guaranteed jobs as a level 1 for a full season once qualified.

CASI level 2 gives you a more in depth understanding of technique and methodology and you can teach up to intermediate snowboarding.

CASI level 3 allows you to teach advanced snowboarding, off piste and park. You can also train instructors in the CASI level 1 and 2 programmes and examine CASI level 1. Visa sponsorship for working as an instructor in Canada usually requires level 3 as a minimum.

CASI level 4 allows you to develop snowboarders at all levels and train future instructors, at this level employment opportunities are greatly increased.

CASI qualifications are recognised internationally in Canada, America, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan, Dubai, Australia, Andorra and much of Europe. The CASI level 1 ski instructor course is seen as a ‘fast track’ into the industry and is an ‘all mountain’ qualification, however CASI level 2 and above are comparable with other internationally recognised snowboard instructor qualifications. European and New Zealand employers expect level 2 as a minimum in all qulifications.

Winter resorts in Canada are different to those across Europe, some resorts and mountains are owned by companies and because the company employs all the staff on the mountain it can be easier to train and gain work within the resort. CASI qualifications are more recognised in Canada than other international qualifications, so if working within the Canadian Rockies is your ambition, then becoming CASI certified could be more beneficial for you.

Choosing SBINZ

Snowboard Instruction New Zealand

The Career Path

SBINZ ski level 1 allows you to teach first time snowboarders up to low level intermediates. You can teach on the slopes as soon as you have passed.

SBINZ level 2 progresses your career and builds on your skills as an instructor allowing you to teach intermediate snowboarders

SBINZ level 3 allows you to teach ‘all mountain situations’. You can take the SBINZ level 3 if you hold SBINZ level 2 or an equivalent foreign qualification.

Unlike other international qualifications SBINZ operate a 3 level system with the option to take additional ‘speciality’ courses.

SBINZ qualifications are recognised worldwide, particularly in the English speaking world. Traditionally outside of New Zealand the minimum for employment is level 2 – although this is typical of many international qualifications. SBINZ snowboard qualifications are more recognised in New Zealand than other equivalent certificates, if working in New Zealand is your main goal then SBINZ is for you.

You can train for the SBINZ qualification during the European summer time, being qualified by the end of September means you’re armed and ready with your SBINZ level 2 certification to spend the following season teaching in America, Canada, Europe and more.

What to do next?

Once you have decided on which is the best ski instructor course for you, research the programme thoroughly, make a booking and have the season of a lifetime!

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